OPC With Compact Fieldpoint

[Software_Monkey]

Hi,

I am considering installing Compact Fieldpoint harware within a laboratory area but intend to use a custom C++ application to record the signals via OPC. I have three questions/concerns that maybe someone could help with.

Firstly, nowhere can I find information on the tag names or registers exposed by each of the compact fieldpoint modules which worries me. Suppliers of other equipment usually provide this detail.

Secondy, having worked with Profibus, where tag values are continuously and automatically updated from slave nodes in the background, I dont know what I can expect from Ethernet as it seems to make the request and wait for data when a value is required. Is this the case or do I have it completely wrong?

The brochure for the cFP180x states that it is supplied with an OPC server but my sales agent says that it is not. Which of these is correct?

Thanks

Tony

[Kurt_NISalesEngineer]

Hi,

Thanks for posting your query on the NI forum.

Every controller in the FieldPoint range can be used as a slave Distributed I/O system, whereby a host PC is able to read and update I/O channels on the modules connected to the controller.

With regards to your other concern FieldPoint Ethernet network controllers only send data to the host computer on change. The service (part of FieldPoint software installed in the controller) is running and is detecting the changes publishing the data to the host, it polls the channels as fast as it can.

You can set up alaises for each module channels etc using the driver configuration utility that is usually bundled with our drivers, MAX (Measurement and Automation Explorer)

What is Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX)?

https://www.ni.com/en/support/documentation/supplemental/21/what-is-ni-measurement---automation-expl...

You install and configure the OPC plug-in when installing NI-DAQmx 8 or driver software for other NI industrial hardware, including compact field point. Our driver software is available for free download at www.ni.com\downloads

Once you have the kit and install the relevent drivers you'll find its fairly straight forward to get up and running.

I hope this helps!

Kurt

[Tony_Dean]

Hi Kurt,

Thanks for the reply. With this info, and the kind loan of a Compact Fieldpoint controller from our local sales office and I have it all running nicely with my own OPC client. My worries were unfounded.

Thanks again

Tony